Abstract:
Fungi in the Cryphonectriaceae include some of the most serious pathogens of trees globally. Amongst these, species of Chrysoporthe, previously identified as Cryphonectria, are well known and important pathogens of Eucalyptus propagated in plantations for the production of various wood products. This study considered Cryphonectriaceae isolates collected from stem cankers on Eucalyptus and the native tree, Henriettea seemannii (Melastomataceae) in Colombia. Isolates were identified based on analyses of DNA sequence data and morphology. These were resolved as Chrysoporthe cubensis, C. doradensis and a new species described here as Chrysoporthe colombiana. All three fungi were found on H. seemannii, whereas C. doradensis was found on Eucalyptus. A pathogenicity test on Eucalyptus showed that the three Chrysoporthe spp. could cause disease on these trees, with C. doradensis being the most aggressive. This study provides another interesting example of tree pathogens in the Cryphonectriaceae occurring on native Melastomataceae and infecting Eucalyptus propagated in plantations.
